The Holy Spirit Rock or Holy Ghost Rock, also known as the Agion Pneuma in Greek, is a rock in the Meteora

rock formation A rock formation is an isolated, scenic, or spectacular surface rock outcrop. Rock formations are usually the result of weathering and erosion sculpting the existing rock. The term ''rock formation'' can also refer to specific sediment ...

complex of

Thessaly Thessaly ( el, Θεσσαλία, translit=Thessalía, ; ancient Thessalian: , ) is a traditional geographic and modern administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thes ...

, Greece.

Monasteries and sites

The Monks' Prison ('' Filakaé Monakón'') () is built in long vertical crevice on the eastern side of the Holy Spirit Rock. From Kastraki, it can be reached via an unmarked hiking trail. The ruins of the ("Monastery of the Holy Spirit") are located on the rock (). The Monastery of the Holy Spirit is built on a 300-metre high cliff. A path carved into the cliff leads to the church, which has survived to this day. The frescoes have completely decayed. The altar,

sacristy A sacristy, also known as a vestry or preparation room, is a room in Christian churches for the keeping of vestments (such as the alb and chasuble) and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records. The sacristy is usually located ...

, and prayer book are carved into the rock, and at the entrance to the right is a carved coffin where the clergyman's grave is located. To the left of the shrine are two cisterns for collecting rainwater. There are abandoned cells and trees in several places. At the top of the cliff is an iron cross, said to have been erected by the Serbian king Stefan Dušan. The () is also located on the rock. Kerchiefs (''mandilia'') are traditionally hung at the cave entrance. It may have been one of the four monasteries founded around 1367 by Neilos, the

Prior Prior (or prioress) is an ecclesiastical title for a superior in some religious orders. The word is derived from the Latin for "earlier" or "first". Its earlier generic usage referred to any monastic superior. In abbeys, a prior would be l ...

of the Skete of Stagoi. The Cave of St. George of Mandila may be the same as the Cave of Archimandrite Makarios near Pigadion. The base can be easily reached from Kastraki, but

rock climbing Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up, across, or down natural rock formations. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a usually pre-defined route without falling. Rock climbing is a physically and ...

is needed to reach the actual cave. Stylos Stagon (Στύλος Σταγών), a rock pillar, is part of the Holy Spirit rock complex. The

Monastery of Theostiriktos A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...

(Μονή Θεοστηρίκτου) is located in the Holy Spirit Rock area, but its exact location is uncertain.

Access

A network of trails surrounding the rock can be reached from the village of Kastraki.

References

{{Meteora Rocks of Meteora Holy Spirit Cliff dwellings Former Christian monasteries in Greece